Author's Note: Hey! I'm back with another story XD This fic was requested by ben4kevin on my Christmas fic, and I initially really had no idea what to write. But then I started to read about what the Japanese did during their New Year, and I thought it would be pretty fun to write about those traditions. And, instead of weaving yet another story just around Kaname and Zero, I thought it'd be more lively to include the other vampires that we all love so much :)

I had planned for a short, simple fic, but then I found I just could. not. stop. writing. And so now I have this lengthy first part. I found all the information I need online, so many thanks to the internet for this!

This feels a little like crack, seriously XD I don't know what my mind was thinking. But still, I hope you guys enjoy this! I had lots of fun writing it :)

Disclaimer: These characters belong to the wonderful Matsuri Hino.

Thud.

Thud thud.

Aidou looked up from the magazine he had been absentmindedly leafing through. 'What in the world is that infernal noise?'

His cousin raised an eyebrow, not looking up from his chess game. 'Zero said he was making something,' he remarked unhelpfully, before smoothly sliding his white bishop across the chessboard. 'Checkmate.'

The honey blonde vampire sitting across him scowled, oak-coloured eyes critically scanning the board for any possible moves to save her poor king. Finding none, she sighed in frustration, tossing her long hair over her shoulder as she leaned back in her seat.

'You win again, Akatsuki,' admitted Ruka sullenly.

Aidou stuck his tongue out and pretended to gag as his cousin grinned at his lover, leaning over the table to give her an affectionate peck on the lips.

Thud. Thud.

The blonde's eyebrow twitched in irritation as more pounding sounds echoed from the kitchen. 'What exactly is he doing? Punching a chicken to death?'

Takuma looked up from the couch, where he was cuddling next to Shiki. 'Why don't you go see if he needs some help, Hanabusa?' smiled the noble calmly, eyes twinkling in amusement.

Shiki glanced away from the TV long enough to snort loudly, before his attention returned to the Kōhaku Uta Gassen program broadcast.

Kain and Ruka immediately cracked up, not even bothering to hold back their hearty laughs. Aidou? Helping out in the kitchen? Yeah, right!

'He'd destroy the place instead,' observed Rima from where she was perched on the window-seat, munching on some Pocky.

The blonde noble whirled around, cheeks turning red. 'Hey! What's that supposed to mean!?'

Kain chuckled, shaking his head. 'Don't tell me you've forgotten what happened the last time you stepped into that kitchen?'

Predictably, Aidou coloured, sputtering in indignation. 'That- that wasn't my fault! It was Kiryuu who started-'

Thud.

Okay, he'd had it. He was fed up with whatever the hunter was doing. That annoying sound had to stop.

Shooting the other vampires a 'this isn't over yet' look, he stomped out of the living room, marching straight for the kitchen.

Thud.

Aidou burst through the door, growling in displeasure.

'Could you stop with that infuriating sound? It really grates on my nerves!'

The shrieks and yelps that accompanied his exclamation had him blinking in surprise. Kaname-sama's three hired chefs had all jumped in shock, having been so concentrated on their preparations that they had not heard him stalking down the hall. Eyes wide in both surprise and apprehension, they swiftly bowed and apologised. He was their boss's guest, after all.

Guilt tugged at Aidou as he watched them dip into respectful bows. Looking closely at them, it was clear that they hadn't even been the ones making the noise. They were all bent over various plates of ingredients, some of which he could recognize, most he could not. There were black beans, skewered prawns, some sort of fish – but nothing that would require any loud pounding.

'Ah, I didn't mean...'

He trailed off, not knowing how to continue. It wasn't like he was going to apologise, of course. They were members of the staff! How could he bow his head in front of them!?

Regardless, a tinge of unease lingered within him as the trio smiled nervously and turned back to their work.

'Now you know how your voice sounds like to everyone around you,' came a dry voice from a corner of the kitchen.

Recognising that sardonic voice, Aidou's head snapped towards its source.

Zero had his back to him, a plain grey apron over his tee and jeans as he bent over the counter, arm muscles flexing as his hands applied controlled, even force to whatever he was working on.

Thud.

'So it was you!'

The noble strode over to the hunter, crossing his arms as he glared at him. 'Why are you making such a ruckus? Kaname-sama is trying to get some work done!'

The hunter lifted one shoulder, wiping away the sweat trickling down from his temple with his sleeve. Without missing a heartbeat, Zero retorted, 'I imagine that your shouting is not doing him any favours, either.'

'It's because of you, isn't it!'

When Zero did not reply, eyes remaining focused on his task, Aidou fumed in outrage. The audacity of this guy! So what if he was now Kaname-sama's lover? He had absolutely no respect for him!

'Hey!' He hissed, ready to launch into another tirade.

Amethyst eyes lifted to meet his. 'Listen, Aidou, I don't have time for this right now. I'll argue with you later if you want, alright?' His distracted gaze slid to something behind the noble. 'Hey, hand me that rolling pin behind you, will you?'

The noble stared back at him, jaw hanging open. Had Kiryuu just dismissed him, as if he were a... a child?

Realising that Aidou was not going to be handing the utensil to him anytime soon, Zero rolled his eyes, sighing in exasperation.

'Never mind, you probably don't even know what it looks like anyway,' he muttered, reaching an arm around the noble to grab the wooden pin.

'Wha– of course I know what it looks like,' bristled the noble, glaring daggers at him.

Zero ignored him, sprinkling starch onto the counter surface, before setting his kneaded dough down. For a second, Aidou briefly considered freezing the pin in his hands into a block of ice. Now that would get Kiryuu's attention, wouldn't it?

But, with great effort, he forced himself to restrain himself. The hunter was probably making something that Kaname-sama would eat as well. There was no sense in destroying the pureblood's meal just to get back at the hunter. He could always just freeze Kiryuu's legs, after all...

'Aidou, if all you're going to be doing is sulking and plotting, just leave. It's distracting all of us.'

The noble flushed guiltily. 'I'm not sulking!' he snapped.

It was the only thing in the hunter's words that he could deny, after all.

Zero rolled his eyes at the predictable response, before sprinkling some more starch powder on the top of the dough and the rolling pin. He set the pin firmly down in the centre of the dough, beginning to roll it out outward in long, even strokes.

Curious despite himself, Aidou peered down at the counter. 'What are you making?'

Tapping the edges of the dough in order to form straight lines, Zero continued rolling out the dough, occasionally sprinkling more starch powder when the dough started to stick to the pin. 'Toshikoshi soba,' he replied simply.

'Oh,' said Aidou, brows furrowing. 'Why?'

Zero scoffed as he skilfully shaped the dough into a perfect rectangle, rolling it out to make it as thin as possible. 'Because it's New Year's Eve and that's when people in Japan eat toshikoshi soba.'

Aidou exhaled in annoyance, riled up by the hunter's condescending tone. Calm down, Hanabusa. He's Kaname-sama's lover. You can't kill him, no matter how much you want to. 'No, I mean, don't most people just buy the noodles ready-made?'

Zero paused for a second, glancing up at him. 'I guess so. It's just that this will be the first time I'm spending New Year's with Kaname, so I thought I'd do something special.'

Aidou's eyes widened in surprise, not having expected to receive an honest answer. He remained silent for a few moments, watching the hunter's deft hands working the dough expertly. He had had some of Kiryuu's cooking before, of course, from the last time they'd all been over. Takuma and Kaname had both pushed him into making something for them. And he had reluctantly complied.

However, it was only now, watching him concentrating on his preparation, that Aidou realised how good Zero was in the kitchen. It was quite difficult to imagine that those hands, which so easily took away the lives of many an 'E', could move so nimbly and create such delicious, mouth-watering creations.

Zero seemed to be just as surprised by his own truthful reply. Shaking his head as if to erase the strange memory, his attention returned to his dough. Concentrate on the soba, the soba. Scattering a handful of starch over the dough, he carefully folded it in half. Continually adding starch powder, he folded the dough again and again, until a small, rectangular block sat on the counter.

Reaching into a drawer, Zero drew out a long, sharp knife. When Aidou stiffened imperceptibly, he chuckled in amusement.

'I'm not going to kill you Aidou... not here, at least, and definitely not with a kitchen knife.'

Heat suffused the blonde's cheeks. It wasn't that he'd been afraid, hell no. He just had not expected the hunter to suddenly draw out a knife. It had been a knee-jerk reaction, just like flinching away after accidentally bumping into a boiling pot. All vampires were taught from young to be wary of a weapon-yielding hunter; that was how they survived.

But he was fully aware that protesting agitatedly, as he was prone to doing, would only make him seem more pathetic. So instead, he settled for a haughty 'you couldn't touch me even if you tried.'

The hunter snorted in derision but said nothing. He took a deep breath, calming his mind and relaxing his hands. Then he lowered the knife carefully but unhesitatingly, cutting the rectangular slab into thin strips. Aidou watched, impressed despite himself. The hunter's hands were practically flying across the dough, straight, parallel lines dividing the dough evenly. Kiryuu's kitchen work had the same style as the one he did for the Association – clean, swift and efficient. It was a breath-taking experience watching him in action... even though Aidou would never admit that on pain of death.

Once Zero was finally done, he released a soft breath, wiping the back of his hand across his forehead.

'Miki, is the water ready? The noodles are done.'

The unknown name had Aidou's brow furrowing, until he heard a soft 'yes, Zero-sama', and turned to see one of the staff bending over a bubbling pot on the stove. Oh, right. He had been so absorbed in their conversation that he had almost forgotten they were not alone in the kitchen.

Zero gathered the soba noodles in a bowl before making his way over to the stove. Not quite sure what to do with himself, Aidou followed behind. He watched as the hunter tossed a handful of salt into the pot, before dropping the noodles in as well. Zero glanced up briefly at the digital clock on the clock, crossing over to the sink in a few long strides. He grabbed the empty bowl that sat next to the sink, dumping half a packet of ice into it, before filling it up with water and setting it aside. Opening a cupboard, he grabbed a large metal strainer, placing it over the sink.

His eyes flashed back to the clock, Aidou's eyes following suit. 11.06pm. Exactly one minute after he'd added the noodles. Zero returned to the boiling water, turning off the flame. Lifting the pot easily, he made his way back to the kitchen, draining the contents through the strainer he'd prepared. After rinsing and tossing the steaming noodles under the tap, Zero smoothly dunked the noodles into the ice water. The noodles were then drained and taken onto another counter where eleven empty bowls waited.

As Zero grabbed a fork and tongs from the drawer, Aidou finally spoke up. 'Hey, uh, I can help you portion out the noodles, if you want.'

When the hunter eyed him warily, the noble huffed in indignation. 'Takuma asked me to come help. That's why I'm here.'

There was no need for him to admit that Takuma had only been half-serious when he said that, and that the rest of the vampires had all cracked up laughing. No need. No need whatsoever.

'You sure? I could've sworn you came by just to make a fuss about the noise.'

The noble growled, even though he couldn't help the tell-tale flush that coloured his cheeks. 'Yes, I'm sure. Now, just give me that.'

A small knowing smile on his face, Zero relented, letting the blonde grab the utensils. Silently, the two of them distributed the noodles evenly among the bowls.

'Zero-sama, I've heated up the sauce you prepared earlier, said Miki shyly, approaching the counter with a hot saucepan in her hand.

The hunter turned towards her, features softening in a warm smile. 'Thank you, Miki. You've been a great help.'

Aidou's sharp senses registered a sudden spike in the young vampire's heart rate, her quickened breathing, as well as the very obvious blush that turned her whole face beetroot. He quirked an eyebrow, shooting the hunter an amused smile. Interesting... Does Kaname-sama know about this?

Zero scowled at him, shaking his head firmly. Amethyst eyes narrowed, a threatening glint in their depths. You'd better not say anything, Aidou.

'Ah, why are there three extra bowls, Zero-sama?'

The hunter's attention was dragged away from their silent battle and back to the petite brunette. She had already filled eight bowls with the mirin and dashi sauce, but was looking quizzically at the last three bowls.

'Ah, that's right,' remarked Aidou loudly, as if just realising it for the first time. 'Counting Seiren, who's not here yet, there should be only eight of us, right?' He grinned at the hunter, shaking his head in mock sympathy. 'Looks like someone didn't do so well in Math class back at the Night Academy, huh?'

Zero shot the noble a withering glance. It was clear the noble knew exactly why there were extra bowls. There was no way he could have missed that while they were dividing the noodles.

He turned back to Miki, still maintaining his smile. He had long known been aware of the kitchen apprentice's crush on him. It wasn't really difficult to tell, after all. Even though she had no chance at all with him, he could not force himself to try to keep a cool distance. She was such a sweet, innocent girl. In a way, she reminded him of Yuuki. And that made it pretty damn impossible for him to ignore her. Hence, despite the fact that perhaps he was encouraging her affections, he treated her just like how he had treated his foster sister. With great affection.

Of course, Kaname had no idea that there was a young, doe-eyed female pining for him. The pureblood hardly visited the kitchen, after all. Zero was not worried about his lover doing anything extreme like firing her, of course, but him knowing would still be more trouble than it was worth. As such, he had made no mention of it.

Now he just needed to make sure Aidou kept his lips tightly zipped...

'Zero-sama?'

Shaking his head lightly to clear the thoughts away, Zero placed a hand gently on her shoulder, causing her to jump, blush intensifying.

'These three bowls are for you, of course,' he said, gesturing to the three kitchen staff. 'Did you think I wouldn't be making enough for you?'

The other two staff glanced up from their work, surprise evident on their faces.

'Oh, Zero-sama, it is an honour to be able to eat something you made personally!'

'Thank you so much, Zero-sama!'

The hunter's smile turned slightly sheepish as the chefs proceeded to thank him profusely. Apparently, they had indeed thought he would not be making them any. Geez, how heartless do they think I am...?

'A-ah, Zero-sama... T-thank you,' stammered Miki, her eyes unable to meet his. 'I'm so happy I can eat something y-you made...'

Zero chuckled softly, ruffling her short hair playfully. 'It's no problem, Miki. You helped me make it, after all.'

Her whole face is so red that I think she might just spontaneously burst into flame, observed a shaking Aidou. He was biting his lip in order to hold back his laugh, a hand pressed against his mouth just in case it leaked out. Oh god, this is hilarious. Kiryuu is gonna get it so bad later.

'Alright, so this is all done now. I think we can serve this now,' announced Zero tiredly, resolutely refusing to meet the noble's gaze.

Aidou straightened, glancing over his shoulder to the other two chefs who were still in the midst of their preparation. 'What about them? They're not ready yet.'

Zero looked up from where he was loading a large silver tray with the bowls, following the direction of his gaze. 'That's the Osechi for tomorrow, Aidou. Didn't you see the jūbako stacked up in the corner there?'

'Oh, right,' muttered the blonde absentmindedly. He had not noticed the stacked boxes perched on the edge of the counter. That explained the weird assortment of ingredients spread all over the surface.

'One would think you've never celebrated New Year's before...'

The noble whirled around defensively. 'I was just too distracted by you and the horrible racket you were making to really pay attention!'

'How careless of you. I wonder if your Kaname-sama would forgive such an oversight,' remarked the hunter, in a completely deadpan voice.

In a fluid motion, he picked up the loaded tray, heading toward the door. Since his back was turned toward Aidou, only Miki could see the huge grin on the hunter's face as he strode out of the kitchen.

'Why you...!'

As Aidou rushed along behind the hunter, hurling curses and threats at him all the way to the dining room, the young apprentice giggled softly, before her gaze fell upon the three steaming bowls of toshikoshi soba.

Oh, Zero-sama...You're such a kind person.

XD I just love Aidou... :D And the bantering between him and Zero :) As for the 'previous time when Aidou stepped into the kitchen', I was actually thinking of the food fight in one of Blackened Wing's amazing fics. Somehow whenever I write Kaname and Zero together, her universe and characters are what come to mind. But you can use your imagination. It can be anything as ridiculous as you'd like.

So I hope you all liked this! Please leave me a review so I know whether I should continue. THANK YOU FOR READING! :D Thank you ben4kevin for inspiring me to write this! :)